Who Needs Books?

I have friends – we all probably do – who swear that books are about the most important things in the world to them.

OK, that’s fine. I like books, too.

Most people prefer fiction. I prefer nonfiction, but I digress…

But I really do like books. Maybe even love a few. If you walked into my house, you’d immediately see two HUGE bookcases filled mostly with books. Hardbacks, paperbacks, and big coffee table books I must have received at Christmas from people I now can’t recall.

It’s pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. 

As I mentioned, I’m fond of nonfiction – which I know puts me in the minority of book readers. But as a former journalist/reporter, I was all about “reality” – you know: Stuff that actually happened. Not a made-up story by someone just to entertain us and help pass the time..

(OK, I’m quickly backing away from that. I know how irate fiction lovers can get when you attack their beloved reading material…)

But I DO like books – very much. If you were to view my collection, you’d see it dominated by biographies, true adventures, history tales. And politics. Lots of political books. Focused on who else? Donald J(erkface) Trump, the single most existential threat to democracy and possibly civilization as we know it.

But perhaps I exaggerate. (No, until he’s behind bars I don’t think I am…)

Anyway, lots of books purchased in recent years about the Orange Monster. Reading about Trump is like reading about Hitler: Both are fascinating characters who just want to run the world and massacre anyone who gets in their way.

But hey – I’ve vowed to steer clear of politics and religion in these blogs, so, uh…what were we talking about? Oh, yes – books.

I admit I do watch A LOT of TV – probably more than is actually good for me. But I try to balance that a bit by reading books. I LOVE lying on my back patio couch with a good read on a warm afternoon.

I’m old-fashioned when it comes to books: I like to actually hold a real book and turn the pages as I read it – just like most everyone who’s ever read a book since the Beginning of Time.

But more and more, people are turning to ebooks – you know, the kind you read on your phone and swipe endlessly. I find this manner of reading not for me: Too much swiping, and I HATE staring at my phone – unlike most of the rest of humanity.

But I do give ebook readers this: When they’re done with a book, they’re done with it. They don’t have to stack it somewhere on a shelf or under the bed and likely never read it again.

And what does it really mean to have LOTS of books on your bookshelves if no one ever walks over and sees what you’ve been reading? Which has been my experience…

I think actual books are probably going the way of the dodo (that means extinct, younger readers). Fewer and fewer people want to actually OWN a book. They take up so much space and – as I’ve mentioned – you don’t get any envy points for having them on a shelf.

Thank God for libraries, although I wonder how much longer they’ll be around for something other than being daytime refuges for homeless people. For me, borrowing books is the only way to go. 

So please, fellow book lovers, help keep these noble institutions open.

Sorry, bookstores.